Badals using Takht for political gains: Minister

JALANDHAR: Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar has called for a 10-year ban from public and professional life for Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal and his family for dishonouring the Akal Takht and using it to their political ends. He also questioned the SGPC chief on his role in allowing the Badal family's rituals and whether the Takht could be allowed to be used for “political atonement for sins”. “The Badals have used religion for political gains. Does a court or a judge ever roll out a red carpet for a convict. Sukhbir has become his own convict, advocate and judge. He has misused the religion in the 10 years of his reign and now in the name of seeking atonement he is using the name of Akal Takht. I request the Jathedar to ban the Badal clan from public and political life for 10 years,” he said.